Drowning: A neglected public health crisis
Rising seas, maximum cities, spiralling poverty and risky livelihoods, 120 million forcibly displaced people, children who make perilous journeys to reach schools – all these conditions are colliding to make death by drowning a haunting and increasingly frequent occurrence
A tragic incident in New Delhi's Old Rajinder Nagar has highlighted the often-overlooked danger of drowning. Three Indian Administrative Service (IAS) aspirants lost their lives in the basement of their coaching centre, a stark reminder that drowning can happen anywhere, to anyone. This incident occurred just two days after the world commemorated Drowning Prevention Day, a global event organized by the World Health Organization (WHO) to raise awareness about drowning as a leading cause of death.
The World Health Organization warns that rising sea levels, increasing urbanization, surging poverty, and hazardous livelihoods are contributing to the growing number of drowning incidents. Millions of forcibly displaced people, along with children who embark on perilous journeys to attend school, are at increased risk of drowning. Furthermore, the International Red Cross warns that as climate change exacerbates the frequency of cyclones, hurricanes, tsunamis, and floods, the risk of drowning will only intensify.
Children under the age of ten and adolescents are particularly vulnerable, accounting for half of all drowning fatalities. It is a preventable tragedy that demands urgent attention and action.
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- Drowning: A neglected public health crisis thehindu.com
